A Modern Twist on an Antique Floor Lamp (PLUS tips on Blending Old & New Decor)

If you love mixing vintage with modern, but worry you’ll make a catastrophic design mistake, why not try it on a small scale? In today’s post, I’m sharing this modern twist on an antique floor lamp. Read on as I show the ‘before’ and ‘after’ along with some tips for blending vintage details into a modern home.

~The following contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Should you choose to purchase through them, this blog makes a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure policy here.~

A MODERN TWIST ON AN ANTIQUE FLOOR LAMP

So I recently decided to give my old antique floor lamp a fresh update by adding a sleek, modern lampshade and rewiring it.

Before the purists get their knickers in a knot: Like many of you, I am not a fan of altering perfectly lovely antique pieces. I love the patina and history they show in their lines and imperfections. BUT, when they NO LONGER FUNCTION or are falling apart in some way, THIS IS WHEN I LIKE TO GET CREATIVE!

The MIX OF VINTAGE CHARM with MODERN STYLE in this DIY turned out to be the PERFECT COMBINATION IN OUR LOUNGE ROOM – a space I am STILL in the process of creating.

Here is THE ‘BEFORE’ of that floor lamp:

The electrical cord was frayed and neither the plug nor the light socket was safe to use.

It’s not a valuable antique, but certainly one that’s had a story and a long life that I wanted to rescue.

The process of transforming it was surprisingly simple – of course, I can say this as it was my husband who did the work 🙂

These are THE SUPPLIES we sourced out for the project:

• LAMPSHADE

• BULB (smaller than average to keep it tucked in)

• LIGHT SOCKET (the bronze colour is no longer available, but there are SIMILAR VINTAGE ONES online)

• BRACKET (to attach the socket to)

• ELECTRICAL CORD (for rewiring) WITH PLUG

• EXTENSION CORD

These are the BASIC STEPS my husband took to rewire and update our floor lamp:

1. Disconnect the electric cord from the light socket at the top and pull the cord out from the base of the lamp.

2. Feed the new electric cord from the base until the tip reaches the top.

3. Remove the old bracket and light socket from the lamp and install the new bracket and light socket.

4. Wire the electrical cord to the new light socket.

5. Add the bulb and attach the lamp shade.

(***For an easy how-to video on rewiring an antique lamp, check out the following tutorial online. For a how-to post with photos and text, check out the following tutorial online).

Here is the ‘After’ of that rewiring and shade update:

The CLEAN LINES of the NEW SHADE CONTRAST beautifully with the LAMP’S INTRICATE DETAILS, creating a quirky design pairing. (The ONLY downside to this DIY was that little curly-cue detail at the tippy-top is swallowed up by the shade. Minor, to be sure, but still something I may rectify in the future).

Here is a QUICK SIDE-BY-SIDE of the BEFORE & AFTER:

NEVERTHELESS, this modern twist on an antique floor lamp was the perfect little DIY to add to our ever-evolving basement lounge. It’s a space that BLENDS VINTAGE with MODERN to create a relaxed, CASUAL VIBE.

Knowing that I wanted to incorporate the lamp into this space DEFINITELY informed me of the kind of update it was going to be.

Blending Vintage Decor Into a Modern Home: A Few Tips

Incorporating vintage into modern spaces can sometimes be tricky. IF YOU LOVE MIXING STYLE ERAS, but still wish to maintain a fresh and modern feel in your home overall, here are a few simple ways to do that:

1. Stick To a Pre-Determined Colour Palette

Quite possibly the MOST USEFUL TIP is to add vintage pieces that blend with your existing colour palette. Even if you’re not mixing old and new, nothing will keep your space more harmonious than sticking to a predetermined colour palette.

Of course, it doesn’t mean you can’t stray! Adding just a few unexpected hues can keep things interesting.

2. Mix Textures

Keep a consistent color palette, but vary the textures. Pairing a sleek modern sofa with a cozy vintage throw or rug adds warmth and interest, while maintaining a cohesive look. Juxtapose smooth and rough, nubbly textiles with smooth finishes. All of these things can add interest in an otherwise cohesive colour palette.

3. Update Classic Pieces

Of course, modernizing an old accessory – as we did with our floor lamp – or a piece of furniture can also be a great way to mix old and new. You can do the same by replacing worn-out fabric on an old chair with a modern pattern, swapping out rusted knobs on an old writing desk with modern drawer pulls, or mixing a modern art print with an antique wooden frame (or vice versa). The sky’s the limit when it comes to blending old and new details.

This project proved that mixing old and new can create something truly special, breathing new life into a cherished vintage item.

As I continue to find ways to blend old and new in this comfy basement space, I find myself getting really excited about taking more creative risks at home. It’s a fun place to be when you love design and DIY – I HIGHLY recommend it 🙂

Happy designing,